Capriccio Espagnol

CapriccioaEspagnol, Op. 34, was composed by the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1887 and was received enthusiastically by audiences. aThis colorful piece is based on authentic Spanish folk songs and dances. aThe first movement,aAlborada,ais a festive and exciting dance, typically from traditional Asturian music to celebrate the rising of the sun. aThe second movement,aVariozioni, is a set of variations on a lyrical melody that opens this movement and is repeated with embellishments in all sections of the ensemble. aThe third movement,aScena e canto gitanoaScene and gypsy song opens with a fanfare-like cadenza, followed by a dance in triple time leading directly into the final movement. aThe finale,aFandangoaastruriano, is also an energetic dance from the Asturias region of northern Spain. aThe piece ends with an even more rousing statement of theaAlboradaatheme. aThe movements are performed contiguously, without the usual pauses in between.